Google Overhauls Gemini App With Pulsating UI, iOS Gets First Look

Key facts

• Google has been working on the Gemini redesign for several months.
• The redesign is currently rolling out to some iOS users, with no confirmed Android release date.
• The new homepage features a pill-shaped prompt box and a colorful, pulsating gradient background.
• A plus button opens a bottom sheet with options for Photos, Camera, recent images, Files, Notebooks, and More uploads.
• Tools listed include Images, Videos, Music, Canvas, Deep research, and Guided learning.
• The model picker has moved to the top-left corner as a dropdown menu, and the account switcher is now at the bottom of the navigation drawer.
• On iOS, the redesign heavily leverages Liquid Glass with semi-transparent elements.
• Google has tested this unified approach on Android and desktop web, and it is already live in Gemini for Mac.

A New Visual Identity for Gemini

Google has begun rolling out a sweeping redesign of its Gemini app, marking the most significant visual overhaul since the AI assistant’s launch. The update, first spotted on iOS devices, introduces a pulsating, gradient background that animates subtly behind a centered greeting: “Hi [name], what’s on your mind?” The Gemini spark icon hovers above the text, anchoring the new look. The most striking change is the shift from a traditional search bar to a pill-shaped prompt box. Voice input and Gemini Live controls sit to the right, while a simple plus button replaces the previous cluttered toolbar. Tapping the plus button reveals a bottom sheet with a carousel for quick access to Photos, Camera, and recent images, alongside options for Files, Notebooks, and a “More uploads” tab.

Unified Tools and Redesigned Navigation

Below the carousel, a list of tools appears with descriptive labels: Images, Videos, Music, Canvas, Deep research, and Guided learning. This unified approach, previously tested on Android and desktop web, is now live on iOS. Google has also reorganized the navigation: the model picker returns to the top-left corner as a dropdown menu, and the account switcher has moved to the bottom of the navigation drawer—a notable departure from the layout of other first-party apps. The updated icon set favors thin, rounded outlines, and the temporary chat button remains accessible throughout. In chat threads, the “See thinking steps” option has been moved to the overflow menu, with the thought process displayed as a bottom sheet.

iOS Exclusive for Now, Android Awaits

The redesign is currently rolling out to a limited set of iOS users, with reports surfacing on Reddit over the past day. Google has not confirmed a detailed schedule for Android, though the company has tested similar elements on that platform. The iOS version heavily leverages Liquid Glass, a design language featuring semi-transparent, frosted-glass effects that give the interface a luminous quality. Google’s decision to launch the redesign on iOS first is notable, given that the company develops both Android and Gemini. Historically, Google has sometimes previewed major app updates on iOS before bringing them to its own mobile operating system.

What the Redesign Means for Users

The new interface aims to streamline how users interact with Gemini, consolidating tools and inputs into a cleaner, more intuitive layout. The pulsating background and gradient effects are designed to make the app feel more dynamic and responsive, leveraging the screen real estate to create an immersive experience. For power users, the unified tools list—spanning image generation, video, music, and research—suggests Google is positioning Gemini as a multimodal hub rather than a simple chatbot. The move also signals a shift in design philosophy: by placing the account switcher at the bottom and the model picker in a dropdown, Google is prioritizing quick access to core functions over brand consistency with other apps.

Open Questions and Next Steps

It remains to be seen how the redesign will translate to Android, where screen sizes and design conventions differ. Google has not indicated whether the Liquid Glass effects will carry over or if Android will receive a distinct visual treatment. The limited rollout on iOS suggests the company is gathering user feedback before a wider release. As Google continues to iterate on Gemini, the app’s evolution reflects broader ambitions to compete with other AI assistants. The redesign, while cosmetic in part, lays the groundwork for deeper integration of Google’s ecosystem—from Photos and Files to NotebookLM and Deep Research.

The bottom line

• Google’s Gemini app redesign introduces a pill-shaped prompt box, animated gradient background, and unified tools layout, currently exclusive to iOS.
• The update includes a plus button that opens a bottom sheet with quick access to Photos, Camera, Files, and Notebooks, plus a list of tools like Canvas and Deep research.
• Navigation changes include a top-left model picker dropdown and a bottom-of-drawer account switcher, deviating from standard Google app design.
• The iOS version uses Liquid Glass semi-transparent elements; Android users have no confirmed timeline for the update.
• Google has tested the unified approach on Android and desktop web, and it is already live in Gemini for Mac.
• The redesign positions Gemini as a multimodal platform, integrating image, video, music, and research tools into a single interface.